It can happen at the least opportune time…on your way to an important appointment, a job interview or maybe a Summer wedding. Suddenly you notice the air blowing from the AC vent is no longer cool. You check the controls…turn it off, then back on…and nothing works. Your air conditioner is dead…and there’s nothing you can do about it right now…except sweat like a pig, because you can’t be late to that meeting. An annual air conditioning (A/C) system check up is the only real way to avoid your embarrassing sweaty appointment. The non-profit Car Care Council tells vehicle owners that it’s your best bet to keep it at peak performance when Summer drops the heat hammer.

Your car’s HVAC system (heating, ventilation, air conditioning) controls the air quality and comfort level by maintaining the right balance between humidity and temperature inside it passenger cabin. Most auto repair shops offer a standard A/C system service that’s made up of roughly 6 (six) vital checkpoints. Here’s what most likely included in the service:

Visually inspect hoses, lines, seals and other components for leaks as well as

Cooling system failure is one of the top causes of vehicle breakdowns. Summer’s sweltering days are just around the corner. Several symptoms that you should be on the lookout for (according to the Car Care Council) are:

LEAKS

ENGINE OVERHEATING

Sweet Smell of ANTIFREEZE

ADDING COOLANT or antifreeze FREQUENTLY because it seems to disappear

Being well acquainted with these signs and symptoms of your vehicle’s cooling system being in distress could save you thousands of dollars by avoiding a major cooling system failure that could cause your engine to seize. THAT means coughing up cash to rebuild or replace your engine…or buy a new car altogether.

Rich White, executive director, Car Care Council tell us that:

“If the cooling system doesn’t receive regular maintenance, it’s not a question of whether it will fail, but rather when it will fail. Performing regular checkups of belts, hoses, the water pump and fluids will ensure your car remains properly cooled and healthy for many miles down the road.”

Removing heat generated during the internal combustion process is what the engine’s cooling system is all about. Coolant temperature (the mixture of antifreeze and water) can be well over 200 degrees Fahrenheit…and that heat has to go somewhere, otherwise the engine and its vital components start failing. Four key components of the cooling system that remove heat from the engine and automatic transmission and move it to the air outside are:

You should check out your vehicle’s owner’s manual for specific guidelines as to how often to change antifreeze and flush the coolant system. A coolant flush and fill is vital to cooling system maintenance…because new antifreeze helps the engine run cooler and flushing it removes dirt or sediment that could damage other cooling system parts.

Remember…NEVER open a hot radiator cap. You can check coolant level at the reservoir instead. A 50/50 mixture of quality antifreeze and distilled water should be added if/when the coolant level is low.